
Vidisha and Viola Alva: Multi-talented Little Two Jasmines of Pangala blooming in Dubai
I have known these two little shining stars from Pangala (Shankerpura) since their childhood. Their parents have been close friends of mine and had the opportunity to stay with them on a few occasions. After watching some of their performances on various programmes and on stage, I realized that these little kids are not ordinary but very special, nay I must say extraordinary. To start with, besides being multi-talented, I have been observing their nature which I found to be humble, obedient to their parents and teachers and friendly with all the kids around them.[By Alphonse Mendonsa]

Karkala: Ocean of Devotees witness Proclamation and Dedication of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur
The historic day in St. Lawrence Shrine in particular and Udupi Diocese in general dawned on Monday, 01 August 2016 as all the roads from the twin dioceses of Udupi and Mangalore led to the holy shrine to witness the solemn proclamation and dedication of the Shrine as Minor Basilica during the Holy Eucharist which was followed by public function. Devotees had started arriving at the Shrine right from the early morning from different corners of the twin dioceses. Different parishes had made their own arrangements to come to the Shrine hiring private buses.

Historical Background of St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur-Karkala
Following the declaration by Pope Francis elevating the shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur-Karkala to the status of Minor Basilica on 26 April 2016, preparations are underway for the Proclamation and Dedication of this shrine as Minor Basilica on 1 August 2016 in the presence of Cardinals, Bishops, priests, religious men and women and a large number of devotees of St. Lawrence. With this mega event, the pilgrimage centre will be viewed in the new light as Minor Basilica. As the Diocese of Udupi has woken up to the unique occasion, and the diocesan authorities have been putting in all their energies...[By Dr. Eugene DâSouza]

St. Lawrence Basilica: Significance of Basilica in the Catholic World
It is a matter of great pride and honour to the people of the Udupi Diocese that one of the prominent historical shrines in the diocese dedicated to St. Lawrence at Attur-Karkala has been elevated to the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Francis in a Decree issued on April 26, 2016. St. Lawrence
Sr. Mary Leonette A C: Fifty Years of Memorable Journey in Apostolic Carmel
On 3 May 2016, Sr. Mary Leonette (Leena Elizabeth Barboza) completed 50 years of religious life in the Apostolic Carmel congregation known for its pioneering work in the field of education. Being born in a large family, that too in the family of late Salvador Barboza,the first sacristan of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle who was instrumental along with the first parish priest late Fr. Casmir Fernandes in the building of the first church, Sr. Mary Leonette had a sound religious background in nurturing her vocation...[By Dr. Eugene DâSouza]

Achyuta Acharya of Durganagar, Shankarpura: A Master Craftsman who served the community with dignity
I was just relaxing after my lunch at my residence and then I saw a frail old man walking with an umbrella in front of my house. I wondered where this old man was coming from in the afternoon in the hot sun. When he walked right in front of my house I immediately recognized who he was. The steel man, a legend and popularly known as âKodapatte Acharyyaneâ-Achyuta Acharya whom I knew since my childhood. I knew that he is my neigbour since I went..[By Alphonse Mendonsa]

Kitta...The Cat (Article Dedicated to Cat Lovers)
I was inspired by Philip Mudarthâs Face Book posting to write this article on our cat Kitta. Below was the picture he posted. Philip wrote-I filmed this cat and pigeon "tease" in Mauritius. I think they behave same everywhere. He (Kitta) walked into our house around four years back on a summer dayâŠand we did not chase him away. He slept leaning main door of our house in order to get some cooling from the lean gap of the door. Within a day he was allowed to enter the home. Immediately he walked upstairs and straight jumped on to bed and got himself almost buried inside the comforter...[By Ronald Saby]

AAP government slashes VAT in its second budget
The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Monday presented a "zero-tax" Budget which slashed the value added tax (VAT) on a wide range of goods to bring down prices of consumer products such as green vehicles, watches, readymade garments, shoes, schoolbags, and common-use items such as namkeen, farsan, sweets etc....[By Philip Mudartha]

Mrs. Ranjani Hegde: Memorable journey from a dedicated social worker to Panchayat President
It is a matter of great satisfaction for a person, especially for a woman hailing from village and farming background to aspire for higher education, venture into social work, enter politics and eventually occupy the seat of honour and power in the village panchayat and carry on good governance in the interest of the villagers. On the occasion of International Womenâs Day celebration, Bellevision.com found such a woman in Mrs. Ranjani Hegde who by her social work, determination and dedication carved a niche for herself in the village of Belle-Kattingeri, entered electoral politics in village panchayat, got elected twice as the member of the Belle Grama Panchayat.. [International Womenâs Day Special]

When the sun shines, make hay? No, make power and more
We have been using solar radiation for generations, mainly as day-light during the day; provide heat to ourselves and living organisms and sunshine for drying our laundry, various food items and agro-products on household scale. Just imagine the amount of electricity we saved due to sunshine! But, solar power is about the generation of electricity from solar radiation using equipment and technologies. The concept goes back to the discovery of photovoltaic effect...[By Philip Mudartha]

The most entertaining spectacles in world cricket, ICC World cup Twenty20!
The game of cricket has been the most popular among all kinds of sports in India for the past several years. As the saying goes, âIndians eat cricket, sleep cricket, dream cricket and live cricketâ. The popularity of the game is so huge that it is often compared to religion in India as well. Hence, the influence of cricket on the Indian society is quite big that Indian cricket enthusiasts smile, cry, become angry and manifest sorrow with every achievement or failure of the Indian..[By Francis Saldanha]

Ek Saal, Kejriwal: the honest politics marches on
On 14th February 2015, Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stormed the Assembly election to win 67 seats and to form the government in Delhi-NCT state. On Sunday, the AAP government completes one year in office. Its anniversary celebrations include public Q&A session with the cabinet taking questions from the people, aptly labelled "phone pe charcha". However, Kejriwal and his supporters in the India against Corruption...[By Philip Mudartha]

Of Power Cuts, the criticism, and an alternative response of positive action
The promise was that the state will get uninterrupted power from 1 January 2016. But, households in the coastal districts, especially in villages the power situation is grim, despite mild weather during this winter. It would get only worse during the summer as refrigerators and air-conditioners kick in. The reported power shortage in Karnataka is 1,000MW, with demand at 8,500MW outstripping supply at 7,500MW. The stability of the grid is managed by load-shedding...[By Philip Mudartha]

Self-esteem and respect for the elderly in our society
As the saying goes like, treasure the wisdom of old age, learn from elder people and be wise. It used to be that the elders were the most revered members of any community, tribe or family. Particularly in our society the elderly in our lives were held in high esteem and they were often sought out for advice about love, marriage, home remedies for illness and life itself. As important members of our families, old folk were not only a source of advice and guidance...[By Francis Saldanha]

Monsignor Matthew DâSouza of Belle Parish celebrates 50 Years of Priestly Ordination
On 7th November 2015, St. Josephâs Cathedral, Lucknow was lit beautifully along with the neighbouring buildingâs in it compound which included the Cathedral School, Bishopâs house and the Parish centre on the Eve of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Four of its now retired Priests who would be completing 50 Years of Priestly Ordination on 8th November. The Four Jublinarianâs; Monsignor Matthew DâSouza, Rev.Fr.Ignatius Martis, Rev.Fr. Mark Pinto and Rev.Fr.Henry DâAlmeida were Ordained on 21st December 1965 ..[By Lester Martis]